Thomas Jefferson - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson [Institute’s Thomas Jefferson United s of America is a super power that is ruling over a big faction of the world today in terms of its economy, trade, and government for many decades. Since its independence until the present moment in time, it has experienced a revolution in many of its facets. It is one of the most developed, urbanized, industrialized, scientifically enhanced and technologically advanced nations of the world. United States has always been a federal constitutional country comprising of distinct fifty-two states under the governance of one President. It is a nation with a diverse culture as denizens inhabit here belongs to different and assorted origins, races, civilizations, ethnicity, and backgrounds. With the diverse culture, US also dominate and govern in having a well-established economy and its currency plays a leading considerable role throughout the globe. In addition, this kingdom also dictates in being a nuclear power that has plenty of minerals and resource in its terrain. It not only imports food commodities but also has the tendency to cultivate and nurture on its own land, thus agricultural sector also become one of its contributor to the total revenue of U.S1. Several people have made innumerable contributions to the development and progress of the country of United States amongst whom the name ‘Thomas Jefferson’ is one legendary, leading and prominent one. Thomas Jefferson came under the President-ship in the first decade of 1800, continued and upholds the position and political power for more than five years. He came under election as the third President of United Sates of America. He made remarkable contributions for the sake of his country and his people but the most recognized and acknowledged amongst them are Declaration of Independence, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Naturalization Law. He was a man who believed and worked for betterment of his people, rather than producing benefit for own self and earning money and fame for him. Thomas Jefferson comes under remembrance since time immemorial due to his vision for the development and progress and peace in America. His approach towards achieving his goals and objectives was commendable due to the reason that it has benefitted the people of United States at that time as well as in current days2. Thomas Jefferson was a native of Virginia, lived with his parents for few years of his life. At a very early stage, he shifted away from his family for the purpose of education, as he has always been fond of gaining knowledge. He belonged to a family who did not inherit their ancestors’ wealth, instead worked hard to make their own living standard. He studied a wide range of subjects that includes literature, science, law, and many others. While he got himself involved in the law practicing, he learned a great deal. His political career started when he came under selection as a prime member of Virginia House of Burgesses3. He was a versatile human being as he was not only a lawyer or a politician but also he was an author who wrote various books. One of his famous writings encompasses his perspectives and viewpoints on the privileges and civil liberties for the population of British Americans, and included an account on the thoughtful precursor for the independence. After rendering services for some years in Virginia, he became a part of congress where he got an opportunity to outline the statement for independence, which became one of his noteworthy works in the later stages of his career. During his initial political career, he got several chances to submit his services on high positions in various political bodies. While being the governor he implemented and altered many rules, regulations, and policies related to many social issues4. His political career also comprise of services in the reigns of previous Presidents and oppositions. Thomas Jefferson had beliefs and views that were in conflict to the previous governments, as they focused on developing solely the economic segment, which include industrial and commercial growth, whereas the interest of Thomas was the development of the people, state and agro-based economy. His focus was also on uplifting the conditions of people, as he worked towards attaining the human rights for his citizens. After becoming the President, Jefferson tried to cut down the gap between the two diverse thoughts and worked accordingly. He even proposed to put a halt to the trading of slaves from the third world nations such as African countries5. One of his well-known and important visions was to promote impartiality, fair treatment, and unity amongst his citizens who belonged to different races and cultures. In addition, he desired that his people should be aware about their national rights and give rise to a feeling of patriotism amongst them so that the people stay loyal to their country. To fulfill his wishes, he inked down a document specifying the objectives and named it as Declaration of Independence. Principally, Jefferson wanted British rule to end in British American territory. Furthermore, he wanted to abolish the excise and trade duties on imported and exported commodities, thus, he was looking forward for promoting free trade all over United States. This declaration marks an important stepping stone towards the building of modern America6. Another popular success of Thomas Jefferson was the formulation of one of the world-renowned educational institutions named the University of Virginia. As he was a learned man, he understood the need and importance of high caliber university for the students. He aimed the university to receive funds for the academic and co-curricular activities from the government so that every student irrespective of his financial background gets the opportunity to gain quality education. This university is unique in an attribute that its founder Jefferson himself came under involvement in the entire period of the setting up of the university as he supervised the happenings in a broad perspective from the laying of foundation stone until the functioning of the university7. Despite of Thomas Jefferson’s outstanding contributions, some of his decisions and actions remained in controversies. One of such incidents is Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana terrain was rich in agricultural resources that are it had fertile land and access to ample amounts of water, which supported the growth of economically important crops. The topography, weather, and environment of the region supported efficient cultivation with gargantuan outputs. The area proved to be mammoth prospect for travelling via sea-route as well as for sea-trade. This land was ideal for putting Jefferson’s idea of making America’s economy agricultural based into action, therefore, he aimed to buy the territory from its previous owners. Although, it resulted in the spreading out of U.S. region, some schools of thought view it as an adverse act because he paid a huge sum of money for the purchase of Louisiana land, which could instead come under use for the development of any other sector of the newly rising state that needed growth. Moreover, some people also believed that this expansion, which comes under view as an achievement by many, actually weakened some of the objectives of Jefferson8. Thomas Jefferson and United States of America are the two names that come under the correlation in history of the world. Thomas has given innumerable and significant services and contributions to his country and its populace for more than four decades. United States has experience a revolution under the governance of Jefferson as he introduced new set of rules and regulations and brought many alterations to the existing ones to make the country a better place with strong social and economic backgrounds, peace, and harmony. His dreams, aims, and aspirations were different from the rulers before him and he continuously worked towards accomplishing them. He was a man with high knowledge and wisdom and realized the need of education then and in the future for all his people, for which he constructed a university in order to provide students with standardized education. He initiated his political career from a very early age and his political moves before and during the presidency was commendable. He not only worked towards making people aware of their rights and the growth of society but also focused on extension of the American territory. It has come under observation, that people who work immensely for the benefit of their country and natives; criticism is a factor that always follows them. Likewise, Thomas Jefferson’s work and services came under recognition and appreciation in the past as well as in present times, but some people criticized few of his achievements and reforms. References Armitage, David. 2008. The Declaration of Independence: A Global History. Harvard University Press. Catlett, Lowell B. 2004. Thomas Jefferson: A Free Mind. Trafford Publishing. Malone, Dumas. 2002. Thomas Jefferson: a brief biography. UNC Press Books. Hitchens, Christopher. 2009. Thomas Jefferson: Author of America. HarperCollins. Israel, Fred L., Watts, Jim F. 2000. Presidential documents: the speeches, proclamations, and policies that have shaped the nation from Washington to Clinton. Routledge. Santella, Andrew. 2000. Thomas Jefferson: Voice of Liberty. Scholastic Library Pub United States. Bureau of the Census. 2004. Statistical abstract of the United States: 2004-2005: the national data book. Government Printing Office. Read More